Historic Participation of Syrian Government at Brussels Summit

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani will attend a Brussels donor summit on March 17, marking the first official participation from the Syrian government. This summit, aimed at garnering support for Syria’s peaceful transition post-Bashar Assad, signifies a change in international engagement with the Syrian interim government, despite interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s absence.

On March 17, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani will attend a donor summit in Brussels, marking a historic first for a Syrian government representative at this international conference. This event, organized by the European Union, aims to generate global support for a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, amidst ongoing turmoil in the region. While initial reports suggested interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa might attend, it has since been clarified that he will not be present.

This year’s summit holds particular significance, being the first post-Bashar Assad presidency conference since the removal of the former leader in December. In previous years, the European Union extended invitations solely to Syrian civil society representatives, marking Shibani’s attendance as a significant change in the approach towards Syria’s interim government by the international community. The summit underscores a potentially evolving relationship between Syria and international stakeholders as the situation in the region continues to develop.

The upcoming donor summit in Brussels represents a pivotal moment in Syria’s international engagement. As the first Syrian government representative participates, this indicates a notable shift in the global narrative surrounding Syria’s transitional governance. The absence of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, however, reflects the complexities and ongoing challenges within the region. This event will be a critical platform for discussing future support for Syria amidst its ongoing conflict.

Original Source: www.jpost.com